# Fathom vs Otter.ai (2026) - Verdict

**Verdict:** both live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026. Choose Fathom if you lean toward the more recent build, from 2020. Choose Otter.ai if it starts cheaper, at $16.99/mo against $20/mo.

Category: AI Meeting Notes & Scheduling · Verified: Jul 21, 2026

## Choose Fathom if

- you lean toward the more recent build, from 2020.
- it is built for solo & SMB teams.

Link: https://verdict.tools/go/fathom (rel="sponsored nofollow")

## Choose Otter.ai if

- it starts cheaper, at $16.99/mo against $20/mo.
- a longer track record matters to you; it has run since 2016.

Link: https://verdict.tools/go/otter-ai (rel="sponsored nofollow")

## What each one is

**Fathom.** Fathom records and summarizes meetings and lets you query a call through a chat interface it calls Ask Fathom. Its distinguishing move is a genuinely generous free plan with unlimited recording, transcription, and summaries, where most rivals cap the free tier. It suits individuals and small teams that want solid notes without paying, with paid tiers adding team collaboration and coaching.
Sources: Fathom pricing (https://fathom.ai/pricing)

**Otter.ai.** Otter.ai transcribes meetings in real time across Zoom, Teams, and Meet, adds speaker identification, and layers a chat that answers questions within and across meetings. It sits at a low per-seat price with a free tier. Note that Otter is currently flagged on Verdict as degrading following privacy litigation, tracked with dated sources on its signals page.
Sources: Otter pricing (https://otter.ai/pricing)

## Side by side

| Metric | Fathom | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| From $/mo | $20 | $16.99 |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2020 | 2016 |
| Best for | solo & SMB | solo & SMB & enterprise |
| Status | Live | Live |

All figures = lowest paid monthly plan · verified Jul 21, 2026.

## Where they differ

**Price.** Otter.ai is the cheaper entry at $16.99/mo, versus $20/mo for Fathom.

**Free access.** Both Fathom and Otter.ai offer a permanent free tier.

**Track record.** Otter.ai has been operating since 2016; Fathom since 2020. A longer survival record matters.

## FAQ

### Fathom or Otter.ai - which is better in 2026?
Both are live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026. Choose Fathom if you lean toward the more recent build, from 2020. Choose Otter.ai if it starts cheaper, at $16.99/mo against $20/mo.

### Is Fathom cheaper than Otter.ai?
Otter.ai has the lower entry price - from $16.99/mo vs $20/mo (verified Jul 21, 2026).

### Does Fathom or Otter.ai have a free tier?
Both Fathom and Otter.ai offer a permanent free tier.

### Are Fathom and Otter.ai still maintained?
Yes - both are live as of Jul 21, 2026, with no official sunset announced for either.

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Canonical: https://verdict.tools/vs/fathom-vs-otter-ai